As your parents get older, there are some things that you may want or need to understand. While not everyone ages in the same way, there are some common things that adult children of aging parents need to know. If you know more, you can understand more. With the added understanding of what your parents are going through, you can better help them if they need it.
Sudden Changes
Generally, if your aging parents have sudden changes in their life, they are experiencing a sudden problem. This could be financial, emotional, mental, or physical. You must pay attention to the sudden changes that are occurring to figure out what is happening with your aging parent. For example, if your mother was walking fine one week ago and now she is off-balance, she might have an infection, a side effect to a medication, or there could be sometime even more severe going on.
Gradual Decline
There is a difference between sudden changes and gradual decline. Not everything is as it seems. For instance, if your parent isn’t hearing you as well as they used to and over the course of months, they stop talking, this could be more than it seems. You might think they have dementia, but in all reality, they just have earwax buildup. Many things could cause a gradual decline in your aging parents. Keep an eye out for symptoms and check with their doctor about all possibilities, before jumping to any conclusions.
Medications
You and your aging parent’s caregivers should always know what medications they are taking. Check in their medicine cabinet, talk to their doctors, and check in other places throughout their home. It is important to know what medications they are taking, prescription and over-the-counter, to check for side effects. In addition, you want to make sure they are not abusing their medications. You also want to make sure they are taking all prescribed medications, as well.
Talk to Your Parents About How They Are Feeling
Remember, just because your parent is getting older, that doesn’t mean everything should be focused on their medications and physical health. You should pay attention to how your parents are feeling, as well. Ask them and talk to them about how they are feeling. Ask them if they are scared of anything, if they are grieving, if they are happy, etc.
Improved Quality of Life
Quality of life is one of the most important parts of understanding your parents. They want the best life possible and surely, that is what you want for them, as well. Do what you can to improve your parent’s quality of life. That might include taking them to more social events, hiring caregivers to help care for them in their own home, or doing other things to help them live their life to the fullest.
These are some of the tips for understanding your parents as they age. Start working on these tips today.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-aging-parent-needs-help
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/youre-sharing-care-aging-parents
Sudden Changes
Generally, if your aging parents have sudden changes in their life, they are experiencing a sudden problem. This could be financial, emotional, mental, or physical. You must pay attention to the sudden changes that are occurring to figure out what is happening with your aging parent. For example, if your mother was walking fine one week ago and now she is off-balance, she might have an infection, a side effect to a medication, or there could be sometime even more severe going on.
Gradual Decline
There is a difference between sudden changes and gradual decline. Not everything is as it seems. For instance, if your parent isn’t hearing you as well as they used to and over the course of months, they stop talking, this could be more than it seems. You might think they have dementia, but in all reality, they just have earwax buildup. Many things could cause a gradual decline in your aging parents. Keep an eye out for symptoms and check with their doctor about all possibilities, before jumping to any conclusions.
Medications
You and your aging parent’s caregivers should always know what medications they are taking. Check in their medicine cabinet, talk to their doctors, and check in other places throughout their home. It is important to know what medications they are taking, prescription and over-the-counter, to check for side effects. In addition, you want to make sure they are not abusing their medications. You also want to make sure they are taking all prescribed medications, as well.
Talk to Your Parents About How They Are Feeling
Remember, just because your parent is getting older, that doesn’t mean everything should be focused on their medications and physical health. You should pay attention to how your parents are feeling, as well. Ask them and talk to them about how they are feeling. Ask them if they are scared of anything, if they are grieving, if they are happy, etc.
Improved Quality of Life
Quality of life is one of the most important parts of understanding your parents. They want the best life possible and surely, that is what you want for them, as well. Do what you can to improve your parent’s quality of life. That might include taking them to more social events, hiring caregivers to help care for them in their own home, or doing other things to help them live their life to the fullest.
These are some of the tips for understanding your parents as they age. Start working on these tips today.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-aging-parent-needs-help
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/youre-sharing-care-aging-parents
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN RIVER WEST, IL FOR AN AGING LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.